DNV has published an updated edition of its recommended practice DNV-RP-0585, Seismic design of wind power plants, providing revised guidance for the seismic design of onshore and offshore wind projects. The updated guidance reflects the growing deployment of wind energy in earthquake-prone regions, particularly across the Asia-Pacific region, where seismic loading is becoming an increasingly important design consideration. Earthquakes can affect wind turbines, foundations, offshore substations, power cables and installation vessels, creating engineering challenges beyond those addressed by conventional wind and wave design methods.
The 2026 edition provides harmonised guidance for assessing and managing seismic risks throughout the design process. It complements existing DNV standards for wind turbines, support structures and offshore substations, while supporting projects designed in accordance with the IEC 61400 series.
The revised recommended practice incorporates experience from recent projects and findings from the ACE 2-EVOLUTION joint industry project, which includes more than 20 companies from across the offshore wind supply chain.
Key updates include enhanced guidance on seismic analysis methodologies and modelling requirements, revised recommendations for soil-structure interaction and foundation damping, clarification of seismic loading, ground motion selection and post-processing requirements, guidance on identifying critical design positions within large wind power plants, new recommendations for installation vessels operating in seismic regions, and an appendix summarising local seismic design requirements in Japan.
Applicable to both onshore and offshore wind projects, DNV-RP-0585 covers seismic hazard assessment, design load cases, geotechnical considerations, analysis methods and post-earthquake actions. It is intended to support designers, developers, suppliers, purchasers, regulators and certification bodies involved in wind projects in seismically active regions.
